Roundabout



Nov. 29, 19342. G. P. v. KURZ 1,889,253

R OUNDAB OUT Filed April 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 29, 1932.

G. P. v. KURZ ROUNDABOUT Filed April 7. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedNov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES GUENTHER P. V. KURZ, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTONROUND-ABOUT Application iled April 7, 1931. Serial No. 528,431.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in amusementdevices, and particularly to that type generally known as roundabouts. Yv

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwherein the parts are rotated in a planetary system, whereby to producea thrill, as well as amusement to the passengers. n

Another object is to provide a device of this character wherein easyaccess to the passenger cars is rendered possible.

Another object is to improve and simplify the construction of themechanism for operating the parts of the device.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an amuse nient device made in accordancewith the present invention. j

Figure 2 is a side elevation vof the same, partly in section.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 represents asuitable base, on which is mounted the central pedestal 11, and thecircular track 12, the latter'being ar ranged adjacent the outerperiphery of said base. Also mounted on the base is a motor 13, havingthe bevel gear 14, on its shaft 15, to which more particular referencewill be made later herein.

Disposed above the base is a carriage 16, having the grooved wheels 17,engaged on the circular track 12, whereby said carriage is adapted torotate. Mounted on the pedestal 11, and extending upwardly therefrom, isa stationary post 18, and disposed on said post are the tubular shaftsections 19, 20, and 21, the former of which is secured within thecenter of the carriage 16, and has its lower end resting on the bearings22, supported on the said pedestal. Fixed to the post 18, within theupper portion of the carriage, is a horizontal bevel gear 23, and aboveand below this gear are the bearings 24 and 25, respectively, the latterbeing engaged by the upper 50 end of the tubular shaft section 19, whilethe lower end of the upper longer shaft sectiony 2O rests on the upperbearings 24, which upper bearings also rest on the upper side of thestationary gear 23. Between the upper end of the section 2O and theupper section 21, are similar bearings 26. The lower end of the saidsection 20 is also secured to an upwardly and centrally tapering frame27, mounted onthe carriage. Built up on this frame 27 are the circularlyextending steps 28, which provide access to the cars which will bereferred to later herein. At regular intervals in the step structure areformed the circular openings 29, and mounted on the carriage, beneatheach of said openings, is an upwardly and inwardly inclined frame 30. Onthe carriage, outwardly of the lower end of each of the frames 30, is apost 31, supporting on its upper end an antifriction bearing 32.AStepped into a bearing 33, on the carriage, beneath'V each of the frames3U, is the lower end of an upwardly and outwardly inclined post or shaft34, and mounted on this shaft is a circular car 35, having seats 36, forpassengers, and the upwardly arched framework 37, adapted to supportornamental lighting devices 38. Fixed on the lower portion of the postor shaft 34, just above the frame 30, is bevel gear 39, which mesheswith a bevel gear 39, on the adjacent end of a shaft 40, mounted on saidframe, and extending upwardly and inwardly toward the larger bevel gear23, where it is provided with a bevel gear 41, meshing with said gear23. It will be noted l that the outer portion of the bottom of the carrests on the before-mentioned antifriction bearing 32. Connected to theupper shaft section 21, and to the upper ends of the posts 34, of thecars, are the braces or guys 42, which serve to hold the said posts intheir proper inclined positions. It will be noted that each of the carsrotates within one of the said openings 29. Fixed on the bottom of thecarriage, in concentric relation to the central post 18, is a largebevel gear 43, which is meshed by the bevel gear 14, on the shaft of themotor 13, and by means of which the said carriage is rotated.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by means of the motor 13 thecarriage is rotated, carrying the cars therewith, and as the gear 23 isstationary, the gear 4l will roll thereon, causing rotation of the shaft40, and through the medium of the gear 39', and gear 39, the car will berotated, on its axis, the post 34, while at the saine time, the wholecarriage will carry all of the cars in an orbit having for its centerthe post 18. Thus a planetary action is produced, so that the carriagerotates about a central axis, while'the cars move therewith, and at thesame time rotate on their own axes.

What is claimed is:

l. A roundabout comprising a base, an upwardly tapered and steppedcarriage rotatably supported on said base, the stepped portion of saidbase having a plurality of regularly spaced openings therein, a car foreach of said openings each having a base rotatable in an opening, asupporting axis for each of said cars, an axis for said carriage, aconnecting means between the outer ends of said axes, and meansoperatively connected with all of said axes for simultaneously rotatingsaid carriage and cars.

2. A roundabout comprising a base, an upwardly tapered and steppedcarriage rotatably vsupported on said base, a central post supported onsaid base and connected with said carriage, the stepped portion of saidcarriage having a plurality of regularly spaced openings, a car for eachof said openings having a base rotatably disposed therein in the planeof the inclination of said carriage, a central axis for each of saidcars arranged at right angles to said inclination and supported on saidbase, arms loosely Ycarried by said carriage post and loosely connectedwith the posts of said cars, and a driving .means operatively connectedwithsaid post and said axes for simultaneously rotating the carriage andcars.

In testimony whereof, l atlix my signature.

GUENTHER P. V'. KURZ.

